Minnesota United, Quakes look to gain upper hand

Minnesota United and the San Jose Earthquakes head into Saturday night time’s recreation in San Jose tied in a good Western Convention race simply three factors behind the fourth-place Houston Dynamo and 5 factors behind second-place Los Angeles FC.

The Earthquakes (9-9-8, 35 factors) had an opportunity to maneuver up within the standings on Wednesday of their California Clasico match with rivals LA Galaxy however blew a 2-1 lead within the second half. The visiting Galaxy scored the game-winner on a penalty kick by Dejan Joveljic within the 61st minute.

It was simply the second loss in 13 video games (7-2-4) at PayPal Park for San Jose, which appears to snap a two-game shedding streak.

“We have to have a fast reminiscence,” Earthquakes defender Tommy Thompson mentioned. (Wednesday’s) efficiency wasn’t what we have been hoping for. The excellent news for us, and what we’re enthusiastic about, is that we’ve a chance on Saturday night time towards a group that’s proper above us within the standings. It is an enormous alternative, and we’ll give attention to that.”

Minnesota United (9-8-8, 35 factors), which has performed one fewer recreation than the Earthquakes, is 3-0-2 in its previous 5 MLS matches and is available in off a 3-0 dwelling victory over the Colorado Rapids on Wednesday.

Emanuel Reynoso had a brace, and Teemu Pukki scored his second objective since signing a Designated Participant contract on June 27 for the Loons. Goalie Dayne St. Clair made 5 saves for his eighth clear sheet.

It was the sixth multi-goal recreation of Reynoso’s profession, tying Kevin Molino for essentially the most in Minnesota United regular-season historical past. It additionally tied Reynoso with Darwin Quintero for many profession targets (27) for the Loons within the MLS period (since 2017).

“On the whole, I feel it was an unimaginable recreation for everybody,” Reynoso mentioned. “We’ve got to maintain getting higher and proceed working.”

Pukki, who will depart for worldwide obligation for Finland afterward, snapped an eight-match (together with Leagues Cup) objective drought together with his first rating in entrance of the house crowd at Allianz Discipline.

“Clearly, it is a massive factor,” Pukki informed twincities.com. “Have not scored (as) many targets as I used to be wishing for, but it surely was essential to get it out of the best way and provides me confidence for the following video games.”

Ahead Bongi Hlongwane, who leads the Loons in scoring with six targets and three assists, did not make the journey and can miss his third straight recreation with a knee harm, whereas defender D.J. Taylor is suspended for the competition due to card accumulation.

—Discipline Stage Media